• Clinical features
• Symptoms and complications
• Prevention
• SA Vaccination schedule

WHAT IS ROTAVIRUS

Rotavirus is most common in children under the age of 5 years and is easily transmitted and very contagious.¹

It is responsible for up to 500 000 diarrhoeal deaths/year, worldwide.²

The virus enters the body through the mouth and viral replication occurs in the villous epithelium of the small intestine.²  Infection may lead to isotonic diarrhoea.²

Rotavirus is very stable and may remain viable for weeks or months if not disinfected.
² Improved sanitation alone is not sufficient to prevent rotavirus infection.²

• Short incubation period. (> 48 hours)² The first infection after age of 3 months
  is generally the most severe.²
• Rotavirus may be asymptomatic or can result in severe dehydrating diarrhoea with fever (39 °C) and vomiting.^1,2
• Gastrointestinal symptoms generally resolve in 3 to 7 days.²
• Laboratory testing is required to confirm rotavirus infection.²

Symptoms of Rotavirus

• Vomiting.
• Severe fatigue.
• High fever.
• Irritability.
• Dehydration.
• Abdominal pain.¹

 Rotavirus infection in babies and young children can lead to :

• Severe diarrhoea.
• Dehydration.
• Electrolyte imbalance.
• Metabolic acidosis.²

The rotavirus vaccine is given in oral form.¹

Vaccination  prevents :

• 74 %-87 % of any rotavirus gastroenteritis.²
• 85 %-98 % severe gastroenteritis.²

Vaccination significantly reduced physician visits for diarrhoea, and reduced rotavirus-related hospitalization.²

Vaccination is recommended at 6, 10* and 14 weeks and should not be given after 32 weeks.^(1,3,4)

^{*Vaccine type dependent.}